I wish to take his child into my own care; as he left her to strangers--perhaps he didn't do it willingly; he may be dead--he could have nothing to say against me giving her the care of a parent.

You've been at expense--' Mrs.Peckover waited with eagerness, but the sentence remained incomplete.

Again the old man's eyes strayed about the room.

The current of his thoughts seemed to change, and he said: 'You could show me those letters you spoke of--of my son's writing ?' 'Of course I could,' was the reply, in the tone of coarse resentment whereby the scheming vulgar are wont to testify to their dishonesty.
'Afterwards--afterwards.

I should like to see Jane, if you'll be so good.' The mild voice, though often diffident, now and then fell upon a note of quiet authority which suited well with the speaker's grave, pure countenance.